Camera Module Having a Sealing Member

ABSTRACT

A camera module is provided. The camera module includes: a printed circuit board on which an image sensor is to be mounted; a base arranged on an upper side of the printed circuit board; a cover can coupled to an upper side of the base; and a sealing member interposed between the base and the cover can.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/646,267, filed May 20,2015; which is the U.S. national stage application of internationalPatent Application No. PCT/KR2013/010801, filed Nov. 26, 2013; whichclaims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2012-0137552, filed Nov.30, 2012; the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a camera module.

Description of Related Art

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for small-sized cameramodules in a wide variety of multimedia field such as notebook personalcomputers, camera-equipped mobile phones, PDAs, or toys, and even forsurveillance cameras or image input devices such as informationterminals of video tape recorders. In particular, small-sized cameramodules for smart phones are in trend of being developed according togrowing demands of customers who prefer smaller designs.

Such camera modules are manufactured using image sensor chips of CCD(Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor). The image sensor condenses light from an object througha lens, converts a light signal to an electric signal, and transmits animage to a display media such as an LCD display device so that theobject may be displayed on the display media.

As the camera module is being miniaturized, components such as the imagesensor are also in trend of miniaturization accordingly. Here, fluidimpurities which may be generated during the manufacturing process oradhesive impurities such as burr, may be transferred to the image sensorand/or the infrared cutoff filter arranged on an lower portion of thelens holder. Once impurities adhere to the image sensor or the infraredcutoff filter, a fault such as image pollution may occur in the cameramodule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a camera module having an improved structure, so as to preventfluid impurities or adhesive impurities such as burr from inflowing intothe inside of the camera module.

In one general aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided acamera module comprising: a printed circuit board on which an imagesensor is to be mounted; a base arranged on an upper side of the printedcircuit board; a cover can coupled to an upper side of the base; and asealing member interposed between the base and the cover can.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a lens holdermay be installed in a space unit formed between the base and the covercan.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least onelens may be installed in the lens holder.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, one end of thesealing member may be coupled by being inserted to a concave grooveformed on a circumferential surface of the base.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may be formed of an elastically deformable material, such asrubber or silicon.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may be installed on a whole of a circumferential surface of thebase

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may be elastically deformed in a flat shape by being pressured onan inner circumferential surface of the cover can, and maysurface-contact with the inner circumferential surface disposed oppositeto the base.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may be provided in a shape responding to a flat shape of thebase.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may include a lubricant coated on a surface contacting with thecover can. The sealing member includes a coating layer formed on asurface contacting with the cover can.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealingmember may be formed of an epoxy resin in liquid state at roomtemperature.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover canmay include an escape groove on an end portion disposed opposite to thebase, the sealing member may be coated on the escape groove, and thecoated sealing member may permeate into a gap between the base and thelens holder during a hardening process.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cameramodule may further comprise a cover member installed on an upper side ofthe cover can.

In some exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the base and thecover can may be combined with each other by an indentation combination.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, imagepollution due to impurities may be prevented, by blocking inflow offluid impurities or impurities such as dust into the internal space ofthe camera module during or after the assembling process, without aseparate sealing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a camera moduleaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views illustrating by enlarging a portion‘A’ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a sealing memberaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are sectional views illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’of FIG. 2 according to second to fifth exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplaryembodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this description will be thorough andcomplete, and will convey the scope of the present inventive concept tothose skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein. Descriptions of well-known components andprocessing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure theembodiments of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2is a schematic sectional view illustrating a camera module according toa first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; FIGS. 3 and 4are sectional views illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’ of FIG. 2;FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a sealing memberaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIGS. 6 to 9 are sectional views illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’of FIG. 2 according to second to fifth exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a printedcircuit board (100), a base (20), an operator (30), a cover can (40), acover member (50) and a sealing member (100).

An image sensor (11) may be arranged around a center of the printedcircuit board (10). The printed circuit board (10) may include at leastone driver member.

The base (20) may be arranged on an upper side of the printed circuitboard (10). An infrared cutoff filter (not illustrated in the drawings)may be installed on the base (20). The infrared cutoff filter may cutoff infrared ingredients in the light incident to the image sensor (11),so that the image formed in the image sensor (11) can be an imagery thata human can see with eyes. In general, the base (20) may be formed as aresin material by an injection molding.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the base(20) may be formed in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the base (20) may include an upper surface (23),a lower surface (24) and an opening (22) penetrating through the uppersurface (23) and the lower surface (24). In addition, a coupling pillar(25) to be coupled to a stator (200) (to be described hereinafter) maybe formed at each edge on the upper surface (23) of the base (20).

The stator (200) may include a housing (210) and a first driving unit(220).

The housing (210) may be formed in a shape of a quadrangle frame ofwhich upper and lower surfaces are open. An opening (212) configured tocouple a first driving unit (220) may be formed on each side surface ofthe housing (210).

The housing (210) may be coupled to the coupling pillar (25) protrudedfrom the upper surface (23) of the base (20). A coupling groove (214)may be formed on an upper surface of the housing (210). A plurality ofbosses (216) configured to fix an upper elastic member (420) of anelastic member (400 (to be described hereinafter) may be formed on anupper surface of the housing (210).

The first driving unit (220) may be fixed at the opening (212) formed oneach side surface of the housing (210). Four of the first driving unit(220) may be formed on the housing (210), when the housing (210) isformed in a shape of a box of which top and bottom are opened. Each ofthe first driving unit (220) may include a flat magnet to generate amagnetic field.

The first driving unit (220) formed in a shape of a flat plate mayinclude a first magnet unit (222), a second magnet unit (224) and aneutral unit (226).

The first magnet unit (222) may be disposed above the second magnet unit(224). In the first magnet unit (222), one side corresponding to aninternal side of the housing (210) may have an N-polarity, and the otherside corresponding to an external side of the housing (210) may have anS-polarity.

The second magnet unit (224) may be disposed below the first magnet unit(222). In the second magnet unit (224), one side corresponding to aninternal side of the housing (210) may have an S-polarity, and the otherside corresponding to an external side of the housing (210) may have anN-polarity.

The neutral unit (226) may be formed between the first magnet unit (222)and the second magnet unit (224) it a shape of a band. No polarity maybe generated in the neutral unit (226)

The intensity of magnetic field may be enhanced by such structure wherethe first driving unit (220) is divided into the first and the secondmagnet unit (222)(224) and the neutral unit (226) is formed between thefirst and the second magnet unit (222)(224).

The operator (30) may include a bobbin (31) and a second driving unit(32).

The bobbin (31) may be formed in a shape similar to a cylinder of whichtop and bottom are opened. A lens disposed opposite to an image sensor(11) arranged on a lower portion of the base (20) may be installed on aninternal surface of the bobbin (31).

The second driving unit (32) may be disposed on an outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin (31). The second driving unit (32) may include acoil block where a long wire insulated with an insulation resin is woundin a shape of a barrel.

The second driving unit (32) may be coupled to an outer circumferentialsurface of the bobbin (31) using an adhesive. Both end portions of thesecond driving unit (32) may be electrically connected to a lowerelastic member (210) to be described hereinafter.

The second driving unit (32) may include a first coil unit (32 a) and asecond coil unit (32 b).

The first coil unit (32 a) of the second driving unit (32) may bedisposed on an upper portion of the second coil unit (32 b). The firstcoil unit (32 a) may be wound in a first direction so that the currentmay flow in a forward direction and may generate an electromagneticfield.

Meanwhile, the second coil unit (32 b) may be disposed on a lowerportion of the first coil unit (32 a). The second coil unit (32 b) maybe wound in a second direction opposite to the first direction so thatthe current may flow in a backward direction and may generate anelectromagnetic field in the backward direction.

Attractive force or repulsive force may be generated in response to themagnetic field generated from the first magnet unit (222) of the firstdriving unit (220) and the magnetic field generated from the first coilunit (32 a) of the second driving unit (32). In addition, attractiveforce or repulsive force may be generated in response to the magneticfield generated from the second magnet unit (224) of the first drivingunit (220) and the magnetic field generated from the second coil unit(32 b) of the second driving unit (32).

The operator (30) may move upward or downward from the base (20) by themagnetic field generated from the first driving unit (220) and themagnetic field generated from the second driving unit (32).

Referring to FIG. 1, the elastic member (400) may include an upperelastic member (410) and a lower elastic member (420).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theelastic member (400) may elastically support the operator (30). Theelastic member (400) may locate the operator (30) to be spaced at apredetermined interval from an upper surface of the base (200), when adriving signal is not applied to the second driving unit (32). That is,the elastic member (400) may locate the operator (30) as to be floatingover the upper surface of the base (200), when a driving signal is notapplied to the second driving unit (32).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theforward direction current or backward direction current may be appliedto the second driving unit (32) of the operator (30) in a state wherethe operator (30) is floating over the upper surface of the base (200)because the driving signal is not applied to the second driving unit(32). Then the operator (30) may be bidirectionally driven in adirection toward an upper surface of the base (20) or in a directiondeparting from the upper surface of the base (20). Thereby the currentamount and electric power consumption required in order to drive theoperator (30) may be significantly reduced.

The lower elastic member (410) may be disposed on the base (20). Thelower elastic member (410) may be formed as a pair electricallyinsulated from each other.

Each of the pair of the lower elastic members (410) may include aninternal elastic unit (411), an external elastic unit (413) and aconnecting elastic unit (415).

The internal elastic unit (411) may be disposed on a lower surface ofthe bobbin (31) of the operator (30). Therefore, each of the internalelastic unit (411) may be formed in a shape of a half-moon plate.

The external elastic unit (413) may be arranged on an external side ofthe internal elastic unit (411). The external elastic unit (413) may bearranged on an upper surface of the base (20).

An end portion of the first coil unit (32 a) of the second driving unit(32) of the operator (30) may be electrically connected to either one ofthe pair of the lower elastic members (410). An end portion of thesecond coil unit (32 b) of the second driving unit (32) of the operator(30) may be electrically connected to the other one of the pair of thelower elastic members (410).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the upper elastic member (420) may be disposedon an upper surface of the bobbin of the operator (30). The upperelastic member (420) may elastically support the bobbin (31).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thesecond driving unit (32) may be floating over the upper surface of thebase (20) due to the elastic member (400), when the driving signal isnot applied to the second driving unit (32). Here, the operator (30) maybe floating over the upper surface of the base (20) in a state where alittle slack occurs due to self-weight of the operator (30).

However, when the slack of the operator (30) occurs due to theself-weight of the operator (30), the first magnet nit (222) of thefirst driving unit (220) of the stator (200) may not be aligned with thefirst coil unit (32 a) of the operator (30), and the second magnet unit(224) of the first driving unit (220) of the stator (200) may not bealigned with the second coil unit (32 b) of the operator (30). In suchcase, a section where the operator cannot linearly move may begenerated, when the driving signal applied to the second driving unit(32). Thereby, the focusing time may be delayed, and focusing fault mayalso occur.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thesecond driving unit (32) of the operator (30) may be arranged to bealigned with the first driving unit (220), so that the operator (30) maybe driven linearly and bidirectionally from the base (20) as a center,in consideration of the slack of the operator (30) occurs due toself-weight of the operator (30).

More particularly, in order that the operator (30) can be drivenlinearly from the base (20) as a center, the center of neutral unit(226), which is formed between the first magnet unit (222) and thesecond magnet unit (224) of the first driving unit (220) of the stator(200), may be aligned with the center of the first coil unit (32 a) andthe second coil unit (32 b) of the second driving unit (32) of theoperator (30).

Meanwhile, at least one lens may be arranged inside of the bobbin (31).The lens arranged in the bobbin (31) may transmit an external image tothe image sensor (11). In general, at least three lenses may be arrangedinside of the bobbin (31). The bobbin (31) may be installedreciprocatively movable in a direction parallel to a progress directionof the light. Otherwise, the bobbin (31) may be arranged by being fixedto the upper surface of the base (20).

Meanwhile, when an actuator of single-lens moving type is used as ahand-shaking correction unit or an auto focusing unit, an actuator whichis able to control an outermost lens to move upward, move downward,and/or tilt with respect to an optical axis may be installed in order toperform the hand-shaking correction unit and auto focusing functions.Such single-lens moving actuator may move of the outermost lens arrangedin a center upward and downward, or modify the shape of the outermostlens, so as to control a focus of a trespassing image. The actuator maybe formed as any one of a MEMS (Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems)actuator, a liquid crystal lens, a non-MEMS actuator such as apiezoelectric polymer lens (piezo polymer lens), a silicon type actuatorand a liquid lens.

A cover can (40) coupled to the base (20) may block inflow of externalimpurities as well as seal up an internal space of the camera module.The cover can (40) may be formed of a resin material. Otherwise, thecover can (40) may be formed of a metallic material so as to blockelectromagnetic wave inflowing or outflowing from outside or inside ofthe camera module, when a shield can of a metallic material is omitted.

A yoke and a magnet made of a metallic material may be installed on aninner circumferential surface of the cover can (40), when the autofocusing unit is provided as a VCM (Voice Coil Motor). Such structurecorresponds to a know structure of the VCM. Thus, the particulardescription thereof may be omitted.

A cover member (50) may close the opening of the cover can of whichupper portion is open, by being coupled to the upper portion of thecover can (40). A through-hole may be formed a center of the covermember (50), so that an external image can be delivered to the lensinstalled in the bobbin (31) of the operator (30). Here, a diameter ofthe through-hole may be formed larger than a diameter of the lens.

Meanwhile, the present exemplary embodiment may be characterized by asealing member (100) configured to block inflow of impurities such asdust into the internal space of the camera module during or after theassembling process.

The sealing member (100) may be provided as an O-ring of end surface iscircular. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing member (100) maybe inserted to a concave groove (21) formed on a circumferential surfaceof the base (20) in a shape responding to the sealing member (100). Thesealing member (100) may be formed of a various materials, includingelastically deformable materials, such as rubber or silicon.

As described in the above, once the sealing member (100) is installed inthe concave groove (21) formed on a circumferential surface of the base(20), inflow of impurities into the internal space of the camera modulemay be blocked during or after the assembling process of the cover can(40) and the base (20).

In particular, a sealing process, where epoxy or other chemicalsubstances is coated and seals after the assembling process of the covercan (40) and the base (20), may be omitted. Thus, the working man-hourmay be reduced. In addition, the risk of fault in the assembled cameramodule due to mistakes during the sealing process, such as faultycoating of the epoxy, may be eliminated.

In addition, in the conventional art, the internal components of thecamera module may be contaminated by the epoxy or other chemicalsubstances, when too much amount of such epoxy or other chemicalsubstances inflow inside of the camera module during the sealingprocess. However, such contamination problem may be prevented, when thesealing member (100) is interposed between the base (20) and the covercan (40) according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Meanwhile, in general, the base (20) may be formed by injection moldingusing a resin material and a mold. Therefore, the base (20) may besimply formed whereby a shape of the concave groove (21) is provided inthe mold configured to form the base (20) and molded by injection,without performing a separate post-process. Therefore, the risk ofprocess increasing due to the post-process of the concave groove (21)may be eliminated.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a coupling state of the base(20) and the cover can (40) according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, since the sealing member(100) may be formed of an elastically deformable material, an endsurface of a portion, which is inserted to the concave groove (21), ofthe sealing member (100) may be maintained in a shape of a semicircle.On the other hand, another portion protruded from the concave groove(21) may be elastically deformed due to interference with the innercircumferential surface of the cover can (40), so that the contactsurface of the sealing member (100) with the cover can (40) can bedeformed to a shape of flat plane. Thereby, the clearance space betweenthe base (20) and the cover can (40) may be sealed with the deformedsealing member (100) due to such elastic deformation of the sealingmember (100).

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a shape of a sealing member (100)according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, since the base (20) and the cover can (40) maybe generally provided in a shape of a quadrangle, the sealing member(100) may also be provided in a shape of a quadrangle accordingly.

Otherwise, the sealing member (100) may be provided in a shape ofcircular ring to be coupled. However, in such case, some partial sectionof the sealing member (100) may be elastically deformed too much. Thus,the partial section of the sealing member (100) may be broken when usedfor a long period of time.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, asdescribed in the above, the sealing member (100) may effectively preventimpurities from inflowing inside of the camera module, withoutperforming a separate process to coat with sealing epoxy or chemicalsubstance.

In addition, the base (20) and the cover can (40) may be pressured dueto elastic restoring force of the sealing member (100). Thereby,stronger binding force between the base (20) and the cover can (40) maybe maintained, in comparison with when the base (20) and the cover can(40) are assembled by a simple indentation combination.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a lubricant for reducing frictional force may be coated on asurface of the sealing member (100) during the indentation process ofthe base (20) and the cover can (40), in order to minimize interferenceof the sealing member (100). In such case, the effect of friction forceincensement, whereby the sealing member (100) is elastically deformeddue to interference with the inner circumferential surface of the covercan (40) and the contacting surface thereof is broadened, may beminimized.

Otherwise, the surface of the sealing member (100) may be coated with anelastically deformable material containing a lubrication ingredient,such as TEFLON™. In such case, the indentation process of the base (20)and the cover can (40) may be smoothly performed, without coating aseparate lubricant.

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating by enlarging aportion ‘A’ of FIG. 2 according to a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the based (20) and the housing (210) may be coupledby being fitted with each other. The gap space, which may be generatedby tolerance, etc., may be sealed with the sealing member (150) formedby being coated with epoxy resin.

That is, when coupling the base (20) with the housing (210), once thesealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin is coated at a predeterminedthickness in the gap portion in question, the portion coated with thesealing member (150) may seal up the gap while being hardened, andtherefore, inflowing of external impurities may be blocked.

Meanwhile, the sealing member (150) may be coated on an upper surface ofthe base (20). Of course, the sealing member (150) may be coated on aside surface of the base (20) or on an internal side surface of thehousing (210). However, when the sealing member (150) is coated on theside surface of the base (20) or on the internal side surface of thehousing (210), there is a risk that the coated sealing member (150)overflows and contaminates other components. Therefore, the sealingmember (150) may be coated on an edge portion of the upper surface ofthe base (20), where the least impact is caused even when the sealingmember (150) overflows at the coating point.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’ ofFIG. 2 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin may becoated in the gap formed between the base (20) and the housing (210), asin the second exemplary embodiment described in the above. Here,however, the sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin in liquid stateat room temperature may be priorly coated at thickness above apredetermined level in an escape groove (60) formed on the housing(210). Here, the escape groove (60) may be formed on a surface oppositeto the base (20). Afterwards, the assembling of the base (20) and thehousing (210) may be performed.

In such case, the sealing member (150) injected and coated in the escapegroove (60) may be hardened, while being flowing down to the base (20)during a heat hardening process and inflowing to a spaced portion wherethe inflow of impurities may occur. Thereby, the gap, which can begenerated when coupling the base (20) with the housing (10), may besealed. Therefore, the inflow of impurities through the gap may beprevented. Meanwhile, the escape groove (60) may be formed on a whole ofa bottom surface end of the housing (210), or may be formed on a partialsection of the bottom surface end of the housing (210).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’ ofFIG. 2 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, a sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin may becoated in the gap formed between the base (20) and the housing (210), asin the second exemplary embodiment described in the above. Here,however, the sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin in liquid stateat temperature may be priorly coated in an escape groove (60) formed onthe housing (210). Here, the escape groove (60) may be formed on asurface opposite to the base (20). Here, a protruded portion (26) may beformed at a position on the base (20) responding to the escape groove(60). Here, the protruded portion (26) may be provided in a shapecomplementary to the escape groove (60). Here, the sealing member (150)may be coated in the gap formed between the protruded portion (26) andthe escape groove (60). Afterwards, the assembling of the base (20) andthe cover can (40) may be performed.

In such case, the sealing member (150) injected and coated in the escapegroove (60) may be hardened, while being flowing down to the base (20)during a heat hardening process and inflowing to a spaced portion wherethe inflow of impurities may occur, for example, to the base (20) andthe housing (210). Thereby, the gap, which can be generated whencoupling the base (20) with the housing (210), may be sealed. Therefore,the inflow of impurities through the gap may be prevented.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating by enlarging a portion ‘A’ ofFIG. 2 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, a sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin may becoated in the gap formed between the base (20) and the housing (210), asin the second exemplary embodiment described in the above. Here,however, the sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin in liquid stateat room temperature may be priorly coated in a protruded partition (160)formed on the housing (210). Here, the protruded partition (160) may beformed on a surface opposite to the base (20). Here, a concave groovemay be formed on a surface of the base (20) at a position opposite tothe protruded partition (160). Here, the concave groove may be providedin a shape complementary to the protruded partition (60). Afterwards,the assembling of the base (20) and the cover can (40) may be performed.

In such case, the sealing member (150) injected and coated on theprotruded partition (160) may be hardened, while being flowing down tothe base (20) during a heat hardening process and inflowing to a spacedportion where the inflow of impurities may occur, for example, to thebase (20) and the housing (210). Thereby, the gap, which can begenerated when coupling the base (20) with the housing (210), may besealed. Therefore, the inflow of impurities through the gap may beprevented.

Meanwhile, the sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin according tothe second to fifth exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure maybe disposed at a position not interfering with the elastic member (400)configured to elastically support movement of the operator (30).

In addition, the sealing member (150) formed of epoxy resin according tothe second to fifth exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure mayhave an additional effect of enhancing biding force of the base (20) andthe housing (210), while the sealing member (150) is being hardened.

The previous description of the present disclosure is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the inventive concept.Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other variations without departing from the spirit orscope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended tolimit the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

The camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is industrially applicable to camera modules installed insmall-sized electrical devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A VCM (Voice Coil Motor) comprising: a base; acover member coupled to the base; a bobbin disposed in an inner spaceformed between the base and the cover member; a coil disposed on thebobbin; a magnet disposed in the inner space and facing the coil; and afirst sealing member disposed between the base and the cover member,wherein at least a portion of the first sealing member is accommodatedin a concave groove formed on an outer lateral surface of the base. 2.The VCM of claim 1, wherein the concave groove is inwardly recessed fromthe outer lateral surface of the base.
 3. The VCM of claim 1, furthercomprising: a housing disposed in the inner space and accommodating thebobbin, wherein the magnet disposed on the housing.
 4. The VCM of claim1, wherein a bottom end of the cover member is contacted with an uppersurface of the base.
 5. The VCM of claim 1, wherein the first sealingmember is formed of an elastically deformable material, such as rubberor silicon.
 6. The VCM of claim 1, wherein the first sealing member isdisposed on a whole of the outer lateral surface of the base.
 7. The VCMof claim 1, wherein the first sealing member is elastically deformed ina flat shape by being pressured on an inner lateral surface of the covermember, and surface-contacts with the inner lateral surface disposedopposite to the base.
 8. The VCM of claim 1, wherein the first sealingmember includes a lubricant coated on a surface contacting with thecover member.
 9. The VCM of claim 1, wherein the first sealing memberincludes a coating layer formed on a surface contacting with the covermember.
 10. The VCM of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover memberare combined with each other by an indentation combination.
 11. The VCMof claim 3, further comprising a second sealing member disposed betweenan upper surface of the base and a bottom surface of the housing. 12.The VCM of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the second sealingmember is accommodated in an escape groove formed on the bottom surfaceof the housing.
 13. The VCM of claim 3, further comprising an elasticmember coupled to the bobbin and the housing.
 14. A camera modulecomprising: a printed circuit board mounted with an image sensor; a basedisposed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board; a covermember coupled to the base; a bobbin disposed in an inner space formedbetween the base and the cover member; a coil disposed on the bobbin; amagnet disposed in the inner space and facing the coil; and a firstsealing member disposed between the base and the cover member, whereinat least a portion of the first sealing member is accommodated in aconcave groove formed on an outer lateral surface of the base.
 15. Thecamera module of claim 14, wherein at least one lens is coupled to thebobbin.
 16. A smart phone comprising: a camera module, and a displaypart displaying an object photographed by the camera module, wherein thecamera module comprises: a printed circuit board mounted with an imagesensor; a base disposed on an upper surface of the printed circuitboard; a cover member coupled to the base; a bobbin disposed in an innerspace formed between the base and the cover member; a coil disposed onthe bobbin; a magnet disposed in the inner space and facing the coil;and a first sealing member disposed between the base and the covermember, wherein at least a portion of the first sealing member isaccommodated in a concave groove formed on an outer lateral surface ofthe base.